(CNN) - In a sign Barack Obama may be moving closer to selecting a running mate, the Democratic presidential candidate was spotted Monday heading into the Washington office building of his top VP vetter, Eric Holder

Following a roundtable with some of his top economic advisors, Obama headed to the downtown Washington law offices of Covington and Burling, where Holder is a partner. He declined to answer any questions on his way in.

Holder, along with Caroline Kennedy, is principally in charge of steering the Illinois senator's search for a No. 2. Longtime Washington insider Jim Johnson had also been leading the search but stepped down last month amid questions over favorable loans from Countrywide Financial.

Caroline Kennedy is also reportedly in Washington Monday for a Democratic National Committee fundraising event.

Obama's campaign wouldn't comment on the meeting, though he's expected to spend nearly two hours there before heading to a fundraiser in Arlington. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, as well as senior advisers David Axelrod and Robert Gibbs, are also traveling with Obama Monday, though it is unclear if they are attending the meeting.

Speaking with NBC Sunday, Obama wouldn't say how close he is to selecting his running mate, but said it would happen "soon enough."

“I'm going to want somebody with integrity. I'm going to want somebody with independence, who's willing to tell me where he thinks or she thinks I'm wrong, and I'm - I'm going to want somebody who shares a vision of the country where we need to go, that we've got to fundamentally change not only our policies, but how our politics works, how business is done in Washington,” he said.

UPDATE: Obama left Holder's office building shortly before 7 p.m. ET, almost three hours after he went in. He declined to answer any questions on who he met with.

soundoff(448 Responses)

Timber (ex dem)

Who cares? Even Nostradamus could see this guy was no good from 500 years ago! How could Americans be so blind to this phony. I understand that GWB has made us desperate, but that should not blind us completely! He is a lie, just because someone keeps repeating"change" over and over does not make him good! Don't be brainwashed, this is like the movie "The pod people"!

July 28, 2008 10:46 pm at 10:46 pm |

Brian

As long as in 2009 John McCain is NOT in the White House... I don't think I care who is VP..well actually I would prefer Hillary or Biden..but that's just me... :)

OBAMA/??? 2008 please

July 28, 2008 10:51 pm at 10:51 pm |

Susan

I still say the selection will be a big surprise. Not anyone who has been discussed ad nauseum, but someone under the radar.

We will see soon enough!

July 28, 2008 10:56 pm at 10:56 pm |

Dean

What is this word "vetter" and what English dictionary does it appear in?

July 28, 2008 10:56 pm at 10:56 pm |

John B. From New Hampshire

those specific guidelines for a VP show one thing. it was inevitable dems. it will be Obama/Clinton... at first i hated the thought of such a thing... but i have started to warm up to the prospect.....

July 28, 2008 11:13 pm at 11:13 pm |

DMC, USA

Don't get in a hurry Senator. McCain is just waiting for you to choose so that he can attempt to trump you. Honestly, if Senator Obama wants to end all speculation and silence future polls, Senator Clinton as VP would seal the deal. Like it or not folks, with her pull on votes the election would be done. I live in a historically very conservative section of a very conservative state. I travel throughout this state and region and guess who the elder ranchers and their families have supported all along....yep, Hillary. Surprised?...don't be.

July 28, 2008 11:13 pm at 11:13 pm |

barb

We have innumerable excellent possibilities here. I just hope that Obama feels no pressure to select a running mate that may not be a team player. Hillary is gifted but did much to damage him. He may not do well with that kind of pressure. Here's hoping her old followers won't be as divisive as she once was. Hey how about Richardson? Or I got another idea! Maybe Hagel

July 28, 2008 11:13 pm at 11:13 pm |

Judy

I want the guy in the foreground of this photo to be president!

July 28, 2008 11:16 pm at 11:16 pm |

Ula Nejad- Sacramento Ca

Aww...all the characteristics he wants of a VP is exactly what McCain has stood for.

July 28, 2008 11:17 pm at 11:17 pm |

toli

HIllary the only choice!!!

July 28, 2008 11:17 pm at 11:17 pm |

14 year old in SF CA

it doesn't matter who Obama's veep is, he is going to win handily

July 28, 2008 11:21 pm at 11:21 pm |

John

It's too bad that truth, and honest criticism is no longer allowed on CNN. My previous, yet, truthful and factual comment is coincidentally "still awaiting moderation". What kind of society do we live in where the media sensors honesty in favor of false depictions?

"Truth is treason in the empire of lies" -Ron Paul

July 28, 2008 11:30 pm at 11:30 pm |

Margaret

If Obama wants to fundamentally change how Washington does business then he needs then why a representative of the old guard like Caroline Kennedy?

With all due respect to the Kennedy family, those who have served, I do not think by the simple virtue that Caroline Kennedy is a Kennedy qualifies her to be such an influential member of Obama's search committee.

After all it was not so long ago that Caroline Kennedy was running around with a poor attitude and less than dignified behavior.

July 28, 2008 11:31 pm at 11:31 pm |

TheWeaselMcCain

Obama will choose Tim Kaine (gov of VA), because he holds and shares the same politically correct views as Obama. He just happens to be a young, energetic, intellent white man who knows the political winds are changing for the better in America. Finally, change we can believe in.

By the way, McWeasle will probably "stroke out" after the first debate, and Mitt Romney will have to step up to the plate, just in time for a first rate whipping by OBAMA.

I hope Obama has added Diane Feinstein to the list. In my opinion she is a very strong candidate. She has executive experience as Mayor ofa large city and has good Military, For. Policy, and Intelligence Community experience. She'd make a better candidate and VO than Sen. Clinton.

July 29, 2008 12:26 am at 12:26 am |

GE

hope Obama has added Diane Feinstein to the list. In my opinion she is a very strong candidate. She has executive experience as Mayor ofa large city and has good Military, For. Policy, and Intelligence Community experience. She'd make a better candidate and VP than Sen. Clinton.

July 29, 2008 12:28 am at 12:28 am |

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx.

Not news unless we see someone who is a potential VP going in or coming out of that building.

But let's (Ba)rack the Vote.

July 29, 2008 12:30 am at 12:30 am |

Tejano

He wants somebody with integrity... because he doesn't have that base covered. How about somebody that is a Patriotic American, since you dont have that base covered either. Or someone with
some accomplishments since you dont have that base covered either.

July 29, 2008 12:30 am at 12:30 am |

PUMA 4 HILL

And don't let it be Hillary...

We want HILL in '12...

We will remember in November.

July 29, 2008 12:34 am at 12:34 am |

Paul 08

I hope Obama picks some one who is not going to be a puppet to corporate America.

July 29, 2008 12:42 am at 12:42 am |

dream ticket

CAN SOMEONE SAY ( REPUBLICAN CHUCK HAGEL ) FOR V.P.

July 29, 2008 12:43 am at 12:43 am |

Doris,Memphis,TN

Americans are hoping that it is Joe Biden.

July 29, 2008 12:47 am at 12:47 am |

Ben

McCain was responsible for the Forrestal fire. Something made the plane behind McCain fired a rocket, which hit McCain's external center fuel tank, and caused a fire. McCain panicked, and dropped two bombs into the fire.

Surviving crewmen and those who investigated the Forrestal fire case reported that McCain deliberately 'wet-started' his A-4E Skyhawk to shake up the guy in the F-4 Phantom behind his plane.

When the carrier Oriskany came along side, and McCain was put in a chopper and whisked away. McCain was the only Forrestal crewman to be immediately transferred.

July 29, 2008 12:58 am at 12:58 am |

B. Brown

I think Obama's VP choice will be Tim Kaine of VA. I think it would be a good choice because the two have chemistry. Obama and his advisors are smart enough to figure out this foreign policy thing.